A snapshot of the many photos from the 2013 Convention in Detroit that you'll find in the Michigan Municipal League's online flickr photos.

DETROIT, Michigan - The Michigan Municipal League's 2013 Convention in Detroit was a huge success with more than 400 municipal officials attending from throughout our great state. The members attended education sessions on an array of topics, including the Detroit bankruptcy, Detroit's revitalization the potential impact on other communities, the personal property tax issue, medical marijuana, grants and loans, lean and local urbanism, the secrets to strategic economic growth, defined-contribution health plans and much more.

Check out the hundreds of photos we took at the event in this Michigan Municipal League collection on flickr. Flickr is a public photo sharing site so feel free to download whatever you like. We just ask that if you use the photos publicly that you give us the following photo credit: Photo Courtesy of the Michigan Municipal League/mml.org. Thanks and enjoy!

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org and (734) 669-6317.

Collecting the Cup for Ironwood from left are Community Development Director Michael Brown, Mayor Kim Corcoran, Mayor Pro Tem Rick Semo, Clerk Karen Gullan and City Manager Scott Erickson. For more photos go here.

DETROIT, Michigan – The community of Ironwood, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was honored with the Michigan Municipal League’s 2013 Community Excellence Award on Sept. 20, 2013, at the League’s Annual Convention in Detroit.

The peer-nominated Community Excellence Award (CEA), affectionately called “The Race for the Cup,” was started by the League in 2007 to recognize innovative solutions taking place in Michigan’s cities, villages and urban townships. It’s the highest and most prestigious award bestowed by the statewide League.

The city of Ironwood’s placemaking effort is centered on the revitalization of a railroad depot into a park. The plan is to merge city blocks, add a pavilion, playground equipment, landscaping, volleyball courts, and other amenities in an effort to promote health, history, and recreation. The park will also serve as a trailhead for non-motorized and motorized trails crossing the region.

Ironwood Mayor Kim Corcoran accepted the award, which includes a large trophy and statewide recognition, on the city’s behalf. In the seven-year history of the CEA competition, Ironwood is the first recipient from the state’s Upper Peninsula, which encompasses the League’s Region 7. Ironwood is located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border in the western portion of the state’s U.P.

“I was very happily surprised for our community to win the Cup,” Corcoran said. “I was thinking we were a small community and I didn’t know if we stood a chance on getting this, but it’s a very big deal for us. This award helps put us on the map – from the PR we get from this and for our project. It shows what our community has to offer. We believe the positive recognition of receiving this award will increase awareness of the great things that Ironwood and the U.P. have to offer.”

DETROIT, Michigan - Today, the members of Michigan Municipal League elected four new members to the statewide MML Board of Trustees and re-elected two other board members.

During the League’s Annual Meeting at its 2013 Convention Sept. 18 in Detroit, the League membership elected as new board members Rosalynn Bliss, Grand Rapids Commissioner; Robert Bruner, Birmingham City Manager; Edward Klobucher, Hazel Park City Manager; and Jack B. O’Reilly, Jr., Dearborn Mayor. Also re-elected to the 19-person board were Debra Greene, Rogers City Mayor Pro Tem, and Daniel Greer, Jackson Councilmember.

The League board also selected its 2013-14 officers. Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan was named League President and Wakefield Mayor Dick Bolen was selected as vice president. As vice president, Bolen is in line to become the League president next year.

The board also thanked Linden Mayor David Lossing, Saginaw City Councilmember Amos O’Neal, and Eastpointe Mayor Suzanne Pixley for their years of service on the board.

For photos of the League board members go to this Michigan Municipal League “Award Winners and Appointments” set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/sets/72157635396981216/. Photos can be downloaded from the League’s flickr page for free. We just ask that the following photo credit be given: Photo Courtesy of the Michigan Municipal League/mml.org.

DETROIT, Michigan - National experts on municipal bankruptcy and public bond ratings will participate in a highly anticipated panel discussion during the Michigan Municipal League’s 2013 Convention in downtown Detroit, Sept. 17-20, 2013.

The panel discussion, which is part of the Convention closing session 8:30-11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, will feature national municipal bankruptcy expert Frank Shafroth, of George Mason University; Douglas Bernstein, managing partner of Plunkett Cooney's Banking, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group; and Jane Hudson Ridley, senior director in U.S. Public Finance for Standard & Poor’s Rating Services; as well as Dr. Eric Scorsone, advisor to Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins. The panel discussion will be moderated by Flint Mayor Dayne Walling.

Just this week the League received confirmation that Gary A. Brown will also participate in the panel. Brown, former Detroit City Council President Pro Tem, was appointed by Orr July 1 as chief operations officer to the City of Detroit. His duties and responsibilities include the oversight, management and restructuring of multiple city agencies.

This bankruptcy session was added to the Convention lineup earlier this summer immediately following news of Detroit’s bankruptcy.

The session will emphasize that the bankruptcy is of a concern to all communities across Michigan and the nation. They will also discuss the impact on the state itself, any long-term financial and governmental ramifications that might result, and if this could be the start of a serious discussion to fix a broken municipal finance system. News articles this week about additional Michigan communities of Royal Oak Township and Highland Park possibly needing emergency managers, adds to the building evidence that the state’s municipal finance system needs an overhaul.

Hundreds of city and village leaders from throughout Michigan are expected to attend the 2013 Michigan Municipal League Convention at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The League’s annual conference dates back to 1899 and draws municipal leaders from Ironwood to Monroe and every place in between.

Media are welcome to attend any portion of the League’s 2013 Convention in Detroit. Click here to view the full Convention schedule. Go here to view the speakers scheduled to attend. Those interested are asked to contact the League's Matt Bach, director of media relations, at mbach@mml.org and (734) 669-6317.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley speaks to the League Board in January 2012. He'll be speacking aboiut the personal property tax issue at the League's Convention on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. For details go here.

DETROIT, Michigan - Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley is schedule to speak to Michigan Municipal League members in Detroit next month about the Personal Property Tax (PPT) issue. Calley will participate in an education session on the PPT topic during the League's annual Convention taking place Sept. 17-20 in Detroit. The PPT session is in the afternoon on Sept. 19.

Calley will speak along with the Michigan Municipal League's Samantha Harkins and other League staff. On the Last day of the 2012 lame duck sessions, the Michigan Legislature passed extensive changes to the PPT. While there are still many months before these changes go into effect, the work behind the scenes continues. Calley and League staff will update attendees on the progress made and the work that's still needed. This discussion will give attendees insight into how this issue could impact their communities for years to come.

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org and (734) 669-6317.